Liberationist Christianity in Argentina (1930-1983): Faith and Revolution

Liberationist Christianity developed in Argentina between the 1930s and 1970s in response to social, Catholic, and Protestant changes, coalescing into a social movement in the late 1960s. It responded to state terrorism during the Dirty War by exploring diverse responses and correcting narratives that depict the movement as monolithic or passive.

Format: Hardback
Length: 268 pages
Publication date: 14 February 2023
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

Between the 1930s and the early 1970s, liberationist Christianity emerged in Argentina as a complex and multifaceted movement, shaped by a range of social, religious, and political factors. This book seeks to understand the development of liberationist Christianity in Argentina during this period, as well as its response to state terrorism during the Dirty War.

The rise of liberationist Christianity in Argentina can be traced back to the 1930s, a time of significant social and political change in the country. The 1930s saw the rise of Peronism, a political movement that advocated for social justice and equality for the working class. At the same time, there was a growing movement among Catholic priests and laypeople who were dissatisfied with the conservative and hierarchical nature of the Catholic Church. These individuals sought to create a more democratic and inclusive form of Christianity that would better serve the needs of the poor and marginalized.

One of the key figures in the development of liberationist Christianity in Argentina was the priest Juan Carlos Altavista. Altavista was a progressive and charismatic priest who challenged the traditional teachings of the Catholic Church and advocated for a more socialist and humanistic form of Christianity. He founded the Christian Social Movement (Movimiento Cristiano Social) in 1945, which was a coalition of Catholic priests, laypeople, and social activists who sought to bring about social change through the promotion of Christian values.

The Christian Social Movement was a highly diverse movement, with members from a range of social and economic backgrounds. It was also highly politicized, with a strong commitment to social justice and the empowerment of the working class. The movement's ideology was influenced by a range of sources, including Marxism, Catholic social teaching, and the social gospel movement.

One of the key themes of liberationist Christianity was the importance of social transformation. The movement believed that the Christian faith could be used as a tool for social change and that the church should be actively involved in promoting social justice and equality. The movement also advocated for the rights of the poor and marginalized, including the right to education, healthcare, and housing.

The Christian Social Movement faced significant opposition from the Catholic Church, which viewed the movement as a threat to its authority and traditional teachings. The movement was also targeted by the military government during the Dirty War, which was characterized by state terrorism and repression. Many members of the movement were arrested, tortured, and killed, and their churches and communities were destroyed.

Despite these challenges, liberationist Christianity continued to grow and evolve in Argentina during the Dirty War. The movement was able to adapt to the changing political and social context and continue to promote its values and goals. In particular, the movement became more politicized and organized, with a growing number of activists and organizations working to support the movement's goals.

One of the key responses of liberationist Christians to state terrorism during the Dirty War was the creation of underground churches and communities. These churches and communities were hidden from the government and were often led by priests and laypeople who were willing to risk their lives to promote the Christian faith. These underground churches and communities provided a source of spiritual and emotional support for those who were persecuted and marginalized by the military government.

Another response of liberationist Christians to state terrorism was the promotion of nonviolent resistance. Many liberationist Christians believed that the only way to resist the military government was through nonviolent means, such as prayer, fasting, and peaceful protest. They organized nonviolent protests and demonstrations, and worked to build alliances with other social and political movements, such as labor unions and human rights organizations.

Despite these efforts, liberationist Christianity was not without its challenges. The movement was often divided and fragmented, with different groups and factions advocating for different policies and strategies. There was also a significant amount of internal conflict within the movement, particularly over issues such as the role of the Catholic Church and the relationship between Christianity and Marxism.

In conclusion, liberationist Christianity emerged in Argentina between the 1930s and the early 1970s as a complex and multifaceted movement, shaped by a range of social, religious, and political factors. The movement was driven by a desire for social transformation and social justice and was highly diverse and politicized. The movement faced significant opposition from the Catholic Church and the military government during the Dirty War, but was able to adapt and continue to promote its values and goals. The movement's responses to state terrorism during the Dirty War were diverse and included the creation of underground churches and communities, the promotion of nonviolent resistance, and the building of alliances with other social and political movements.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781855663633